eBay

chzuck · ‎06-28-2017

I recently purchased a copy of Adobe Acrobat XI from an eBay seller with only 1 feedback and supposedly located in Texas. Almost immediately after the purchase I got an email saying the auction was pulled by ebay. The seller had several for sale on a buy it now auction. The next day I got an email from the selling assuring me I would get the item but that it would take longer to mail and gave me a tracking number starting with EUB. In this email there was a lot of Chinese symbols. I checked what EUB was and it is a Chinese mailing service. That is all it took for me to contact my credit card company and they froze my account. Ebay wanted me to wait and see if I got the item - not me, time is of the essence in credit card fraud. So beware of these auctions. There are several more on ebay for Acrobat XI. Do you homework before you buy and buy from one who has a good feedback rating.

spacecoastparts · ‎07-12-2017

Yep, these are apparently very rampant and anything Acrobat under $100 should be avoided. I got burned a few weeks ago but let eBay do its thing to get my money back. Should've known better - I violated my golden rule of never buying from zero-feedback and brand new sellers. These are all coming from China, with possible locations in Canada. Software box is professionally shrink-wrapped with all the official Adobe stickers. However, the DVD label is obviously home-printed with misspellings. Serial number is invalid when entered on Adobe's website.

If anyone is thinking about taking the chance though, watch out for the following red flags:

- relatively new user with zero feedback and a convoluted username

- older user with plenty of positive feedback, but hasn't had any transactions in years and has never sold Acrobat software (possible hacking of eBay)

If you do decide to buy and get an email in broken English, you've been burned. If you eventually get your software from China post, I would NOT put the DVD in your computer. Very first thing to do is enter the serial number on Adobe's site. If it comes up invalid, you've definitely been burned. Take pictures of everything and open an eBay case.

chzuck · ‎07-13-2017

Where do I enter the serial number on Adobe's site?

I could not believe it, but I got the Acrobat XI DVD from China today. I am pretty sure it is a fraud, but would like to verify by checking the s/n.

Also did some look on ebay tonight and they are still there is abundance. Cheap price, seller has almost no feedback and very little to no sales.

yuzuha · ‎07-13-2017

If you have to ask, the answer is yes, it's fake.

spacecoastparts · ‎07-27-2017

I would not put the DVD in your computer. Just download Acrobat pro trial from Adobe and try and register through the software. If it works you'll get the full Acrobat Pro. Or get an Adobe ID and register on the website. Odds are 1,000 to 1 you have an invalid serial. Follow Ebay's steps on opening a case to get you money back.

a_c_green · ‎07-27-2017

@spacecoastparts wrote:
I would not put the DVD in your computer. Just download Acrobat pro trial from Adobe and try and register through the software. If it works you'll get the full Acrobat Pro. Or get an Adobe ID and register on the website. Odds are 1,000 to 1 you have an invalid serial. Follow Ebay's steps on opening a case to get you money back.

As above.

Speaking as an employee of a subsidiary of Adobe, I can assure you that we don't distribute Adobe products via eBay from China. You can download a release from the mother ship in San Jose and unlock it after purchasing a valid serial for it. There are 30-day evaluation serials for certain products as well, and I've seen instances here in the past where someone bought what they thought was a full license at an incredible discount, only to have it turn back into a pumpkin after 30 days, so yes, you do get what you pay for.

dmfmdpc-17 · ‎09-09-2017

These problems cannot be resolved with E Bay because the sellers don't respond. I was sold a counterfeit Adobe XI PRO by a seller who had very good references and an excellent feed back record. The unit was listed as Brand new and sealed. The program installed but Adobe popped up on and saidI can use it as a trial version which I thought was a mistake, since I could register with them. They didn't ask for the serial Number until the trial expired. I was then informed the # was invalid. Checked with Adobe by phone and Chat and their whole validation team said the # would not decode and they would not issue me another number. The Package was sent from China which raised an Eyebrow but it appeared absolutely genuine with all kinds of stickers bar codes and inserts . All the spellings were correct and it even had the gold "Adobe Genuine" watermarked sticker that was real gold ink. The disc box was perfect with the serial #sticker on it looking perfect. Could have fooled anyone. and the disc appeared genuine. There were NO mispellings on any of the boxes disc or inserts. The seller has not responded to me since found out what was going on and I sent all the info and a transcript of the chat with the Adobe agents in 3 separate E mails. Ebay contacted them and as far as I know didn't get a response eitherThe whole scam was timed to fool the consumer so that by the time I caught on I was beyond the refund window. SO I launched a paypal complaint because I KNEW the seller wouldn't contact me. in over a week. This E-bay community chat is about this same thing happening with many other buyers. My copy looked really genuine. These guys are really good. This program is really of no use and cannot be reset. If I return it to the seller he or she could reseal it, resell it and another buyer will have the same thing happen as I did. No naming or shaming here. I really think E bay is great and I have a houseful of fine products china silverware artwork and video products. Items I never could have found elsewhere. But even the best services can be fooled. Who knows maybe the seller was fooled too.

hafoster · ‎09-09-2017

@dmfmdpc-17 wrote:
These problems cannot be resolved with E Bay because the sellers don't respond. I was sold a counterfeit Adobe XI PRO by a seller who had very good references and an excellent feed back record.

SO I launched a paypal complaint because I KNEW the seller wouldn't contact me. in over a week.

If I return it to the seller he or she could reseal it, resell it and another buyer will have the same thing happen as I did. No naming or shaming here.

So you escalated a dispute. Then refused to return. K.